Free Will Astrology: June 1-7, 2011

ARIES [March 21April 19] The film The Men Who Stare at Goats tells the story of the U.S. Armys efforts to harness psychic powers for military purposes. Its not entirely a work of the imagination. In fact, theres evidence that such a program actually existed. As the movie begins, a caption on the screen says, More of this is true than you would believe. I suspect therell be a comparable situation unfolding in your life in the coming weeks. As you experience an unusual departure from your regularly scheduled reality, fact and fiction may be deeply intertwined. Will you be able to tell them apart?

TAURUS [April 20May 20] I dreamed you were a member of an indigenous tribe in New Guinea. You had recently begun to show unusual behavior that suggested you were developing enhanced cognitive abilities. Youd solved one of the tribes long-standing problems, were spontaneously spouting improvised poetry, and had been spotted outside late at night having animated conversations with the stars. Some of your friends and relatives were now referring to you by a new name that in your native tongue meant the one who dances naked with the deities. How would you interpret my dream, Taurus? I think it suggests you could be on the verge of growing an intriguing new capacity or two.

GEMINI [May 21June 20] In the northern reaches of Greenland, the sun sets on November 29 every year and doesnt rise again until January 13. This year, to the shock of locals, sunlight broke over the horizon on January 11two days ahead of schedule. Though some theorized that this disturbance in the age-old rhythm was due to a shift in the earths axis or rotation, scientists suggested that the cause was global warming: Melting ice has caused the horizon to sink. I expect something equally monumental to make an appearance in your world soon.

CANCER [June 21July 22] Im not a big fan of the No Pain, No Gain school of thought. Personally, I have drummed up more marvels through the power of bliss than I have from hauling 1,000-pound burdens across the wasteland. But I do recognize that in my own story as well as in others, hardship can provoke inspiration. I think it may be one of those moments for you, Cancerian. Please accept this medicinal prod from the ancient Roman poet Horace: Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents that in times of prosperity would have lain dormant.

LEO [July 23August 22] In Beyond the Mexican Bay, Aldous Huxley observed that the natural rhythm of human life is routine punctuated by orgies. He was using the word orgies in its broadest sensenot to refer to sex parties, but rather to eruptions of passion and spirited rituals of relief and release. Thats the kind of orgy youre due for, Leo. Its high time to punctuate your routine.

VIRGO [August 23September 22] The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do, wrote Walter Bagehot. I dont think thats the supreme joy possible to a human being; but it has a provocative appeal. May I recommend that you explore it in the coming weeks, Virgo? The astrological omens suggest youre in an excellent position to succeed at an undertaking youve been told is unlikely or even impossible for you to accomplish.

LIBRA [September 23October 22] When people unsubscribe from my newsletter, theyre asked to say why theyre leaving. A dissatisfied customer recently wrote, Because you are a crackhead who makes no sense. You sound like you write these horoscopes while youre stoned on mushrooms. For the record, I not only refrain from crack and magic mushrooms while crafting your oracles, I dont partake of any intoxicants at any other timenot even beer or pot. Im secretly a bit proud, however, that the ex-reader thinks my drug-free mind is so wild. In the coming week, I invite you to try an experiment inspired by this: Without losing your mind, see if you can shed some of the restrictions you allow to impinge on the free and creative play of your mind.

SCORPIO [October 23November 21] The roots of big old trees are your power objects. I advise you to visualize them in your minds eye for a few minutes. Doing this will help you find the deeper sources of nurturing you need. Another exercise thats likely to energize you in just the right way is to picture yourself at age 77. I suggest you create a detailed vision of who youll be at that time. See yourself drinking a cup of tea as you gaze out over a verdant valley on a sunny afternoon in June. What are you wearing? What kind of tea is it? What birds do you see? What are your favorite memories of the last 30 years?

SAGITTARIUS [November 22December 21] If youre a physicist or Wall Street broker, your assignment this week is to read the poetry of Pablo Neruda. If youre a kirtan-chanting yogini or the author of a New Age self-help newsletter, your task is to read up on the scientific method. If youre white, be black, and vice versa. If youre yellow, be violet, and if red, be green. If youre a tight-fisted control freak, try being a laid-back connoisseur of the mellowest vibes imaginableand vice versa. Its Mix-It-Up Week, Sagittariusa time to play with flipping and flopping your usual perspectives, roles, and angles.

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Don't do any drugs? I believe most people (there are a few unstable exceptions who won't be able to handle what they would face about themselves- this is why these substances are called "psychedelics," from the Greek root words meaning "soul-revealing") should try 'shrooms and/or peyote/mescaline 3-4 times and LSD once or twice, just to understand the experience. But leave hard drugs- meth, other amphetamines, barbiturates, tranquilizers, opioids, hard liquor, cocaine, and crack- strictly alone. I myself am completely straight at this point (except for the occasional- and I mean about two or three times a year- beer or glass of wine), but I do not regret the psychedelic experimentation/exploration of my youth, almost four decades ago now.